SIDES SQUARE OFF OVER FEDERAL DEBT CEILING

President also addresses timetable for proposals to reduce gun violence

At this moment, the government faces three looming deadlines: The debt limit must be raised soon to meet spending obligations and prevent a first-ever default, a series of across-the-board spending cuts is to kick in on March 1, and funding for most government programs will run out on March 27.

After Obama won tax rate increases for wealthier Americans during budget negotiations last month, Republicans became doubly determined to win spending cuts. They see the upcoming confluence of events as the best opportunity.

At his news conference Monday, Obama also addressed imminent administration proposals to reduce gun violence, saying he would review proposals being assembled by Vice President Joe Biden and would unveil a comprehensive road map for curbing gun violence within days.

He said the proposals would include measures he could take using executive authority, as well as provisions that would need congressional approval.

Obama did not directly say what the recommendations would include, but he hinted they would involve stronger background checks, restricting high-capacity ammunition magazines and at least a partial ban on assault weapons.

“Those of us who look at this problem have repeatedly said that responsible gun owners — people who have a gun for protection, for hunting, for sportsmanship — they don’t have anything to worry about,” Obama said.

The president called the Dec. 14 massacre of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the worst day of his presidency and vowed to take action.

Parents of the slain Connecticut children added their voices to the national dialogue Monday. Members of the newly formed group Sandy Hook Promise called for an open-minded discussion about a range of issues, including guns, mental health and safety in schools and other public places.

Seeking to keep up the pressure on lawmakers, Obama said Monday that if “everybody across party lines was as deeply moved and saddened as I was by what happened in Newtown, then we’re going to have to vote based on what we think is best.”

Underscoring the political tensions surrounding gun legislation, Texas Republican Rep. Steve Stockman said he would file articles of impeachment if Obama used executive orders “to infringe on our constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms.”

Officials said Obama and Biden met Monday afternoon to discuss the vice president’s recommendations. Biden’s proposals followed weeks of wide-ranging talks with key stakeholders, including crime victims’ groups, the entertainment and video game industries and gun-owner advocacy groups.

The Associated Press and The Washington Post contributed to this report.